Microsoft on Tuesday patched a record number of security vulnerabilities, plugging 31 holes in its Windows operating systems, Internet Explorer browser, and other products.

The updates were packaged into 10 bulletins, five of which were rated "critical," Microsoft's top severity rating. What's more, Microsoft warned that 15 of the 31 flaws are likely to be reliably exploited in the next 30 days. The monster patch batch bested Microsoft's previous record in December, when the company fixed 28 vulnerabilities. More reading: